It was 5:00 on a Thursday night. I had to leave for Zumba at 6:40. Two chicken breasts were on the counter 95% thawed. Like most normal nights in our household, Jason was in charge of dinner. On this particular evening, he was two doors down at our neighbors helping them with some computer challenges. (Jason is my fav tech guru!)
The phone rang. It was the very neighbor Jason was assisting. In an “Ode to Spontaneity,” he invited the three of us to join him and his wife for some pizza. Why not? I’ve been wanting to be more spontaneous, and this sure qualified.
I stuck the chicken back in the fridge, changed into my Zumba gear, and bundled up Lucy to make the easy commute down to dine with our friends. Before we knew it, we found ourselves sitting around their beautifully candlelit table joining hands for a moment of thanksgiving.
What was I thankful for?
Well, the obvious gift of the day had to be the fabulously spontaneous open arms of hospitality offered by our wonderful neighbors, “Poppy and Grammy,” as Lucy so affectionately calls them.
Simple fare (pizza and hot wings) with rich conversation and connectedness.
Our time was limited (Zumba was calling my name) but another lesson was learned: it’s not always about how much time you have together, as much as it is that you are together for a shared moment.
Poppy summarized nicely what had just happened. He shared (and I’m paraphrasing)…
“Ya know, we could’ve spend two weeks trying to find a date that would work for all of us to have dinner together and then all of the energy figuring out what to cook, dietary restrictions, etc., and yet this just seemed like such an easier way — being spontaneous.”
Amen to that.
And what a blessing it is to be reminded of what wild fun it is to be truly spontaneous.
When’s the last time you seized a moment that would not have existed without an act of spontaneity?
Spontaneity is one of the best antidotes for Adultitis.
It cleanses you of the dust bunnies of your (sometimes boring) routine. Don’t get me wrong, I loves me a good ‘ol fashioned routine and I believe they are a key element in building a stable household for children; and yet, there’s a fine line between a routine and a rut. It’s something to be mindful of and these moments of embracing spontaneity really serve as a jump start towards that Adultitis-free lifestyle our childlike hearts long for.
So, amidst the busyness of the holiday season that we now find ourselves in, will you join me in keeping your mind and heart open to a spontaneous moment for connectedness with someone special?
There’s an adventure waiting to happen.
So glad I bumped into you again.